Deindividuation and the Stanford Prison Experiment

Different in a crowd

People sometimes behave differently in a large crowd than they would alone. Psychologists explain this with deindividuation. This module covers deindividuation, a famous study that shows it, and how crowds can act for good or for ill.

Key terms

Learn these before you begin:

Crowd behaviour terms

What is deindividuation?

What does deindividuation mean?

• Losing your sense of individual identity in a crowd or group
• Following a direct order from someone in authority
• Changing your view to match a group's opinion
• Helping a stranger in an emergency

How deindividuation works

Deindividuation is more likely when being in a crowd, wearing a uniform or staying anonymous makes people feel less identifiable as individuals. They can then act in ways they would not alone. This can be anti-social, such as aggression in a mob, or pro-social, such as joining in to help at a charity event.

The deindividuation process

Put the steps of deindividuation in order.

• A person joins a large crowd or puts on a uniform
• They feel anonymous and less identifiable
• They lose their sense of individual identity
• They act differently from how they would alone

What increases it?

Select the TWO things that increase deindividuation.

• Being in a large crowd
• Wearing a uniform or mask
• Being alone and clearly identified
• Being named and singled out

Deindividuation frame

Deindividuation is losing your sense of individual _____ in a group. It is more likely when people feel _____, for example in a large crowd or a _____. It can lead to anti-social or _____ behaviour.

The Stanford Prison Experiment

A famous study of this is the Stanford Prison Experiment by Haney, Banks and Zimbardo (1973), 'A Study of Prisoners and Guards in a Simulated Prison'. The researchers reported that student volunteers, who were very similar and non-aggressive at the start, behaved very differently once they were in a group and wearing a uniform. Zimbardo read this through deindividuation and conformity to a role.

What was reported?

What did Zimbardo and colleagues report from the Stanford Prison Experiment?

• Non-aggressive students behaved harshly once in a uniform and a group
• Students refused to take part in any group role
• Students behaved exactly the same as before the study
• Students became calmer and more polite in the group

Match each idea to its example

The study frame

In the Stanford Prison Experiment, Haney, Banks and _____ (1973) reported that similar students changed once in a group and a _____. Pearson reads this through deindividuation and conformity to a _____. Crowds can act in anti-social or _____ ways.

Apply deindividuation

Apply what you have learned to each situation.

• In a large, anonymous football crowd, some fans behave aggressively. This is best explained by...
• People in a crowd at a charity event join in to help clear up. This crowd behaviour is...
• Someone in a uniform, as part of a group, acts more harshly than they would alone. This shows...

Explain and evaluate

Explain what deindividuation is and how the Stanford Prison Experiment supports it. You may also give one reason to be cautious about the study.

• Define deindividuation
• Describe what Zimbardo and colleagues reported
• Give one evaluation point (for example, it was a simulation, so it may not reflect real life)